Simplified device for regulating the flow rate of medical liquid directed towards a patient

ABSTRACT

A device for regulating the flow rate of a liquid in a medical infusion line, said device ( 1 ) comprising a body ( 2 ) presenting elements ( 40, 59 ) for its connection to a first and to a second conduit connected to a container of said liquid and directed to a patient respectively, the body ( 2 ) presenting a plurality of parts ( 3, 4 ) connected together but torsionally free about a common axis of rotation (K) to enable flow rate variation means ( 54, 55, 67 ), associated with the body ( 2 ), to modify the flow rate of the liquid fed to the patient. The flow rate variation means are a plurality of recesses ( 54, 55, 67 ) provided in a single part ( 4 ) of said body ( 2 ), a first recess ( 54 ) being annular and of constant depth, and at least one second recess ( 55, 67 ) being in the form of a broken ring and of variable depth, said recesses ( 54, 55, 67 ) being concentric.

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for regulating the flow rate of a liquid, such as a physiological solution, a medicament, a saline solution, etc., within a medical infusion line, in accordance with the introduction to the main claim.

[0002] In a medical infusion line, such as a phleboclysis line, it is known to provide a device for regulating the flow rate of a liquid which is delivered by a reservoir, for example a bag, and is administered, for example intravenously, to a patient. The device is located between two conduits, namely a first conduit which departs from the reservoir and the other which leads to the patient.

[0003] Various devices of the said type are known. A known type of device comprises a body presenting three parts or portions which are connected together but are free to rotate relative to each other about a common axis of rotation. A first portion is for example connected to the first conduit (connected to the liquid reservoir), and a second portion is connected to the second conduit which leads to the patient: a third portion is disposed between the first two and has means for varying the flow rate of the liquid which is to reach the patient. These flow rate variation means comprise two recesses, namely a first recess provided in that surface of the first portion which faces the third portion and a second recess provided in that surface of the second portion which faces the third portion. A seal member is present between the various portions. The first recess is annular and is of constant depth, the second recess being in the form of a broken ring of variable depth; these are connected together by a hole provided in the third part to permanently connect the first and third recesses together. Depending on the position of this hole relative to said recesses and relative to the zones in which they are connected to the corresponding conduits, the liquid originating from the reservoir undergoes a path of greater or lesser length between the two conduit connection zones via said recesses; this results in different pressure drops in the liquid flow because of a variation in the length of the path taken within the flow regulator device with consequent modification of the liquid quantity fed to the patient, This is also aided by the variable depth of the second recess.

[0004] The known devices of the aforesaid type hence comprise a body with five elements (the three portions and the two seal members between them) which is costly to produce and assemble, is costly to stock and is of large dimensions.

[0005] A device of the aforesaid type is also known having a structure in which the flow rate variation means comprise a body of the aforedescribed type, but in which the recesses are connected together by a channel provided in a cylindrical side wall. This device does not offer adequate and precise regulation of the flow rate of the liquid directed to the patient, and moreover its regulation is more difficult that that of the other aforedescribed known type of device.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a device for regulating the flow rate of the medicinal liquid directed towards a patient which is of more simple construction than analogous known devices, is of reliable and simple use and enables more precise regulation of the flow rate than that obtainable with known devices.

[0007] Another object is to provide a device with a small number of parts which is more economical than analogous known devices and which simplifies and limits its production and assembly operations and its storage costs.

[0008] These and further objects which will be apparent to the expert of the art are attained by a device in accordance with the accompanying claims.

[0009] The present invention will be better understood from the accompanying drawing, which is provided by way of non-limiting example and in which:

[0010]FIG. 1 is a front view of a device according to the invention;

[0011]FIG. 2 is a section on the line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

[0012]FIG. 3 is an exploded front view of the device of FIG. 1;

[0013]FIG. 4 is an exploded sectional view of the device of FIG. 1 seen from above;

[0014]FIG. 5 is an exploded sectional view of the device of FIG. 1 seen from below;

[0015]FIG. 6 is a view from below of a first part of the device of FIG. 1;

[0016]FIG. 7 is a view from below of a second part of the device of FIG. 1;

[0017]FIG. 8 is a section on the line 8-8 of FIG. 7; and

[0018]FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of that part of FIG. 8 indicated by Q.

[0019] With reference to said figures, a device according to the invention is indicated overall by 1. It comprises a body 2 presenting a first part or portion 3 to be connected to a first conduit (not shown) of a medical infusion line connected to a container or reservoir of medicinal liquid, and a second part or portion 4 to be connected to a second conduit of said line (also not shown) carrying the said liquid to a patient.

[0020] Between the first part 3 and the second part 4 there is a seal element or gasket 5. These parts are connected together but are torsionally independent of each other such that they can rotate about a common axis K or longitudinal axis of the body 2 (see for example FIG. 5). To achieve said connection, the first part 3 comprises a structure 10 of substantially cup shape and having a flat portion 11 from which there projects towards the part 4 a connection element 12 hollow at 12A, and from the edge of which there rises a wall 13 defining a cavity 14. The connection element 12 presents a head 15 in which a recess 16 is present defining an undercut 17 in correspondence with said head. The cavity 12A of said element 12 opens into the portion 11.

[0021] The connection element 12 is arranged to be inserted into a connection counter-element 20 of the second part 4. The counter-element 4 projects from a flat portion 21 of the part 4, from the edge of which there rises a wall 22 the surface of which defines a cavity or compartment containing the counter-element 20.

[0022] This latter is internally hollow at 26. In this respect, the cavity 26 is bounded by a plurality of walls 27, 28, 29 and 30 having a first cylindrical portion 31 (see FIG. 8) acting as a centering element when connecting the connection element 12 to the counter-element 20. The walls 27, 28, 29 and 30 are in the form of a circular arc in section, and are disposed along a circumference about a common centre 32 lying on the axis K. These walls, separated from each other, are elastically movable relative to each other to enable the element 12, when being coupled to the counter-element 20, to pass into the cavity 26. Each wall 27, 28, 29 and 30 presents an end 33 bent into the cavity 26 to cooperate with the recess 16 in the element 12 and with its head 15, to retain it (removably) coupled to the counter-element 20. By flexing the walls 27, 28, 29 and 30 outwards the element 12 can be separated from the counter-element 20 (and hence the part 3 from the part 4), even though with difficulty.

[0023] The part 3 presents, projecting from a face 11A of the flat portion 11 and into the cavity 14, a plurality of stiffening ribs 38 and a connection element 40 to be connected to the first conduit of the medical line. Fins 41 on the base 42 of the connection element 40 act as a limit stop for the insertion of this latter into the said first conduit. The connection element 40 is hollow at 43; this cavity is connected to a through hole 44 in the flat portion 11 which opens at 44A into a free face 45 of that portion (opposite the face 11A) from which the connection element 12 projects. On the face 45 there are also present a plurality of arc-shaped projections 46 positioned along a circumference with its centre on the longitudinal axis K of the body 2 (and of the part 3). These projections 46 are spaced apart by apertures 47 within which lugs 48 of the gasket 5 are housed so that this latter is torsionally coupled to the part 3 of the body 2. These projections 46 have at least partly different shapes (or a lesser or greater length) so that the fins 48 can be inserted into the apertures 47 only in one precise manner. The distance between the fins 48 is also different from one fin to another to correspond to the distances between adjacent apertures 47.

[0024] The gasket 5 is flat and annular and presents a central through hole 50 to receive the element 12. The fins project radially from the outer edge 51 of the gasket.

[0025] The gasket 5 has a first surface 5A facing the first part or portion 3 of the body 2 of the device 1, and a second surface 5B (opposite the first) facing the second part or portion 4 of said body 2. The gasket comprises a through hole 52 to be disposed coaxially with the hole 44 of the part 3, and presents in the surface 5B a dead hole 53. This latter connects together two recesses 54 and 55 present in a flat free face 56 of the flat portion 21 of the part 4 of the body 2 on which the gasket 5 lies. The first recess 54 is annular and communicates with an aperture 57A of a hole 57 provided in the portion 21 and communicating with a cavity 58 of an element 59 connecting the part 4 to the second conduit of the said medical infusion line. This element projects from the portion 21 into the cavity 23 of the part 4 and at its base there are fins 60 present to act as a limit stop for the connection to the said second conduit. Stiffening ribs 62 also project from the portion 21 and into the cavity 23.

[0026] With regard to the recesses 54 and 55, the first recess 54, as stated, is of annular shape and presents a constant depth. It opens into a laterally flared groove 63 in the face 56 of the portion 21. In contrast, the second recess 55 is of open-ring shape and of a depth which varies from one end 55A to the other end 55B. It opens into a flared-edge groove 65 in the face 56.

[0027] At the end 55A a dead hole 66 is present connecting the recess 55 to a third recess 67, shaped as the second 55. In this embodiment of the part 4, the through hole 50 of the gasket 5 opens in correspondence with the recess 67, this being the most inner in the face 56 of the portion 21. In the absence of the recess 67 or if the recesses were of even number, the element 40 would be connected directly to the said recess 55. In this case the shape of the parts 3 and 4 would be different from that shown in the figures and the part 4 would present both the connection element 59 and the connection element 40. The gasket 5 would also not be provided with the through hole 52 and would present only the dead hole 53 to connect the recesses 54 and 55 together.

[0028] On the outside of the walls 13 and 22 of the parts 3 and 4 projections 70 are present acting as anti-slip gripping elements to facilitate relative rotation between the parts 3 and 4 in order to modify in a predefined required manner the flow rate of the liquid transiting through the body 2 of the device 1. The definition of the flow rate is indicated by a plurality of notches 71 and by a reference mark 72 provided on the part 4 and on the part 3 (or vice versa) respectively. The different length of the notches indicates the different flow rates obtainable by means of the body 2 of the device 1.

[0029] The flow rate variation is achieved by moving the part 3 relative to the part 4 about the axis K. It will be assumed that the device is in the condition shown in FIG. 2 in which the hole 44, the hole 52 and the hole 66 are coaxial. In this case, the dead hole 53 directly connects the hole 66 to the annular recess 54 of constant section and depth and in particular to the aperture 57A of the hole 57 which opens into said recess 54. Hence the liquid passing from the first conduit of the medical line into the cavity 43 of the connection element 40 of the first part 3 passes, without varying its flow rate, into the cavity 58 of the connection element 59 of the second part 4 and from there into the second conduit of the medical line.

[0030] If this flow rate is to be varied, the part 3 is rotated relative to the part 4 about the axis K. In this case, the hole 52 in the gasket 5 moves away from the dead hole 66 to assume any position between the ends of the recess 67. The liquid arriving from the hole 52 hence passes into the open-ring recess 55 via the dead hole 66. This liquid passes into the recess 55 to fill it as far as the position of said recess faced by the dead hole 53 of the gasket 5. The liquid passes through this hole and into the recess of constant section 54 and from there, on reaching the hole 57, it can pass through the connection element 59 and into the second conduit of the medical line. The more the part 3 is rotated to increase the distance of the through hole 52 of the gasket 5 from the dead hole 66, the greater the reduction in the flow rate of the liquid directed towards the second conduit of the medical line. To achieve reliable regulation of this flow rate, a limit stop is provided for the relative rotation between the parts 3 and 4 in correspondence with the coaxial portion between the hole 52 and the dead hole 66. This limit stop is defined by a tooth 80 jutting from a projection 46 on the part 3 to cooperate with teeth 81 and 82 jutting from a edge 83 rising from the face 56 of the flat portion 21 of the part 4. When the tooth 81 cooperates with the tooth 80 the position of substantially zero reduction of the flow rate is defined, the position of maximum reduction (achieved by the pressure drop in the liquid stream obtained by prolonging the path travelled within the body 2 of the device 1) being achieved when the tooth 80 rests against the tooth 82.

[0031] By virtue of the coplanar position of the (concentric) recesses 54, 55 and 67 (all provided within the flat face 56 of the portion 21 of the part 4) it is possible to very precisely regulate the quantity of medical liquid fed to the patient. To obtain said recesses (or at least two of them, namely the recess of constant annular section 54 and one of variable section 55 or 67) is a simple matter, the flow rate regulation also being simple and reliable. Moreover, the body 2, having a smaller number of components than analogous elements of known devices for regulating flow rate in a medical line, is of lower production and storage cost than known devices.

[0032] A preferred embodiment of the invention has been described. However in the light of the aforegoing description and within the scope of the ensuing claims other devices similar to that of the figures can be obtained. For example, the gasket 5 can in effect be a portion of the part 3, integral with it, obtained for example by known co-moulding or over-moulding methods; alternatively the number of broken ring recesses can be from two to any number n, to enable the flow rate of medical liquid passing through the device to be even more finely varied. In that case the gasket 5 presents a plurality of dead holes 53, whereas the part 4 presenting the recesses comprises a plurality of dead holes 66. These latter alternate with the holes 53 to connect the recesses of the part 4 together in pairs. These variants are also to be considered as falling within the scope of the present document. 

1. A device for regulating the flow rate of a liquid in a medical infusion line, said device (1) comprising a body (2) presenting elements (40, 59) for its connection to a first and to a second conduit, the first conduit being connected to a container of said liquid and the second being directed to a patient to whom the liquid is to be administered, the body (2) presenting a plurality of parts (3, 4) connected together but torsionally free, the relative movement of these parts about a common axis of rotation (K) enabling flow rate variation means (54, 55, 67), associated with the body (2), to modify the flow rate of the liquid fed to the patient, characterised in that the flow rate variation means are a plurality of recesses (54, 55, 67) provided in a single part (4) of said body (2), a first recess (54) being annular and of constant depth, and at least one second recess (55, 67) being in the form of a broken ring and of variable depth, said recesses (54, 55, 67) being concentric, communication means (52, 53) being provided above said plurality of recesses and associated with a different part (3) of said body (2), to connect at least said first recess (54) to the second, one chosen from said first recess (54) and second recess (55) being connected to the first conduit and the other of said first and second recess (54, 57) being connected to the second conduit of the medical line.
 2. A device as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the flow rate variation means (54, 55, 67) are provided in that part (4) of the body (2) connected to the second conduit of the medical line.
 3. A device as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the communication means are a through hole (52) provided within a portion (5) of the body (2) and a dead hole (53) provided within that surface of said portion (5) which faces the flow rate variation means (54, 55, 67).
 4. A device as claimed in claim 3, characterised in that that portion of the body (2) provided with the communication means (52, 53) is a seal element or gasket (5) interposed between the parts (3, 4) of said body (2) which are directly connected to the medical infusion line.
 5. A device as claimed in claim 4, characterised in that the seal element (5) is torsionally rigid with that part (3) of the body (2) not provided with the flow rate variation means (54, 55, 67).
 6. A device as claimed in claim 4, characterised in that the seal element (5) is a portion of that part (3) of the body (2) not provided with the flow rate variation means (54, 55, 67).
 7. A device as claimed in claim 5, characterised in that that part (3) not provided with the flow rate variation means (54, 55, 67) comprises a flat portion (11), from the edge of which there rises a wall (13) defining a cavity (14) in which a hollow (at 43) connection element (40) is present to connect the part (3) to the first conduit of the medical line, said connection element (40) projecting from a face (1 1A) of the flat portion, the cavity (43) of said element cooperating with a through hole (44) provided in the flat portion (11) and opening (at 44A) into a free face (45) of said portion (11), in correspondence with this latter there being provided a plurality of restraining means (46) for the seal element (5).
 8. A device as claimed in claim 7, characterised in that the restraining means for the seal element (5) are a plurality of projections (46) spaced apart along a circumference having its centre on the axis of rotation (K), at least part of said projections having dimensions which differ from each other in order to define the only way of fitting the seal element (5).
 9. A device as claimed in claim 8, characterised in that the seal element has an annular flat shape and a plurality of projections (48) jutting from its outer edge (51), said projections being spaced apart at a non-uniform distance and being able to cooperate in only one way with the apertures (47) positioned at irregular distances apart between the projections (46) present on the free face (45) of that part (3) of the body (2) connected to the first conduit of the medical line.
 10. A device as claimed in claim 2, characterised in that the flow rate variation means (54, 55, 67) are provided in a free flat face (56) of a flat portion (21) of that part (4) connected to the second conduit of the medical line.
 11. A device as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the ring-shaped recess of constant depth (54) communicates with a through hole (57) provided in the flat portion (11) of that part (4) of the body (2) connected to the second conduit of the medical line, said hole (57) communicating with a cavity (58) provided in the connection element (59) to said second conduit and hence with this latter.
 12. A device as claimed in claims 1, 3 and 4, characterised by comprising a plurality of concentric broken-ring recesses (55, 67) of variable depth, one of said recesses (67) communicating with the through hole (52) of the seal element (5), said recesses being connected together by a dead hole (66) provided in that face of the flat portion (11) in which the recesses are provided, one (55) of said recesses communicating with the annular recess (54) via the dead hole provided in the seal element (5) overlying said flat portion (11).
 13. A device as claimed in claim 1, characterised by comprising stop means (80, 81, 82) for the relative rotary movement between the parts (3, 4) of the body (2) about the longitudinal axis (K) of this latter, said means (80, 81, 82) being provided on the two parts (3, 4) of the device body.
 14. A device as claimed in claims 8 and 13, characterised in that the stop means are at least one element (80) jutting from one of the projections (46) of that body part (3) connected to the first conduit of the medical line, said element (80) being arranged to cooperate with at least one counter-element (81, 82) provided in correspondence with an edge (83) of the flat portion (11) of that body part (4) connected to the second conduit of the medical line.
 15. A device as claimed in claim 1, characterised by comprising releasable coupling means (12, 20) associated with the two parts (3, 4) of the body (2) to enable these parts to be axially coupled together.
 16. A device as claimed in claim 15, characterised in that the coupling means comprise, associated with a first part (3) of the body (2), an element (12) projecting from the flat portion (11) of said part (3) and presenting a head (15) in which a groove (16) is laterally provided, and, associated with the second part (4) of the body (2), a coupling element (20) which receives in its cavity (26) the element (12) projecting from the first part (3), and is able to deform and to clamp elastically against said element (12) of the first part (3) to hence retain it.
 17. A device as claimed in claim 16, characterised in that the coupling element comprises a plurality of spaced-apart arcuate walls (27, 28, 29, 30) which are disposed along a circumference with its centre on the longitudinal axis (K) of the device, to define the cavity (26) into which the element (12) projecting from the first past (3) is insertable, and have their end (33) bent into said cavity in order to cooperate with the groove (16) of said element (12).
 18. A device as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the first and the second part (3, 4) of the body (2) of the device comprise means (71, 72) indicating the flow rate of the liquid transiting through said body. 